Ward Signs New Three-Year Deal

2 July 2018

Eagles defender Joel Ward has signed a new contract with the club, extending his stay until the summer of 2021.

The right-back has been in SE25 since 2012 and appeared 206 times for Palace, and has played more Premier League games for the club than anyone in history with 163 to his name. During that time the defender has hit the back of the net four times.

Ward, 28, arrived at Selhurst Park from his hometown club Portsmouth, and helped them to promotion in his first season in south London, famously producing a last-gasp goalline clearance in the Championship play-off final success over Watford to help his team to victory.

He was a regular in the Palace line-up following their return to the Premier League and missed just 11 league games over the next four seasons, and played in the 2016 FA Cup final. Last term he made 20 appearances for the Eagles, reaching the 200-game milestone against Brighton and Hove Albion in November 2017.

Speaking to Palace TV, he said: “I’m delighted to be re-signing. I’ve been here for six years now and this will take me just shy of a testimonial so I’m looking forward to what the future has in store.

“There’s been some fantastic moments; it’s been a great ride, and long may that continue. I wanted to stay here and be a part of it as I feel at home here, and it’s important for us to keep moving forward.

“I want to continue to play for this club and set that bar as high as I can. As long as I put the boots on, I’ll never stop trying to better myself and raise that bar.”

You can watch the full interview with Ward by heading to Palace TV – if you're viewing on the app just select it below.

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